Promoting sustainable event practice: The role of professional associations

International scholarly and industry debates are focussed clearly on the issue of climate change and environmental protection. The tourism industry and its related sectors have weathered much of the criticism for making a large contribution to environmental pollution. With its exponential growth over the past decade or so, the event sector is drawing attention as an increasing contributor to this global problem. Currently, there is a paucity of academic literature which examines the relationship between events and the environment. The event sector, primarily its professional associations and peak bodies are also publishing materials to provide guidance to members as to how to produce events which have minimal impact or reduce their impact on the environment.